Category: NBA

After the second loss in the series, and with all the noise surrounding the officiating, it’s not something that interests me or feels worth diving into right now. I understand and expect that it’s what everyone is talking about. Personally, I want to talk about the team’s fourth quarter in Game 2 (which the Suns won 30–20) and what worked tactically. Let’s break all of that down together.

You know the routine: a quick statistical checkpoint is needed to have plenty of numbers in mind while reading! As mentioned above, the Suns won that last part of the game 30-20. The difference came from efficiency and physical presence on the boards: Phoenix shot 55% and 43% from 3, while Oklahoma was held to 30% and 20%. Then, on the glass, the Suns won 13–9 (Maluach’s impact?).

After a pretty tight first half and a third quarter completely dominated by OKC to close out the game, you could’ve thought Phoenix was going to keep collapsing like in Game 1…but that was without counting on the pride and courage that have defined this team for the past 6 to 7 months. In fact (even if we know the Thunder did relax a bit), the Suns even went on a 20–4 run to erase the 10‑point lead.

There was good stuff in those 12 minutes, especially the total presence of Maluach, a strong and ambitious tactical choice from Jordan Ott to respond to the Thunder’s physicality, with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams rotating in. Khaman had an immediate deterrent effect: OKC scored 48 points in the paint, but only 4 of them came in the final quarter.

An impact you notice right away on this sequence (and it bodes well for the future): the moment SGA blows by Booker, you can see Khaman sliding toward the middle to help and stop the drive. The Thunder guard anticipates it and passes to Mitchell, who is pretty poorly positioned (luckily) to take the shot, so he pump fakes, takes Brooks off balance, and drives to the rim. Except Maluach read the play perfectly and comes to shut the door and contest.

This sequence happens late in the game, but it sums up everything Khaman Maluach represents: deterrence, rim protection, and defensive intelligence. He was even placed on Alex Caruso to maximize his strengths and avoid having him chase Chet, who stays a lot on the perimeter. Whether in Game 1 or Game 2, I found that the Suns had a pretty good way of cutting off driving lanes (packing the paint, rotating with help, and having a second line that doesn’t hesitate to attack instead of reacting).

Again, here with Shai: he drops Brooks with his first step, but Maluach and O’Neal are there in help to stop him from going up, so he’s forced to pass to a perimeter player. Result: you go from an almost guaranteed two points to a three‑pointer that has half the chance of going in.

Then let’s talk about our good old Dillon. If there’s one player who deserves credit during this run, it’s him: 13 points and 5 rebounds in this quarter. He was the dynamo, the bulldozer of the team, and the play below perfectly represents his mindset and the way you need to play against this Thunder team: with pace, power, and boldness. You have to play their game without turning it into a caricature.

Finally, I want to show you the sequence that, for me, kick‑starts this run: it begins with Royce O’Neal in full guard‑dog mode, completely limiting Mitchell’s progress and forcing him into a tough layup — Maluach then wins his battle inside against Hart, allowing O’Neal to intercept the pass and run in transition. Dillon finishes this perfect sequence with a running three‑pointer.

The Suns are still far from where they need to be, but they’re slowly getting closer to the key to competing even more with them. They’re clearly not invincible (a pretty close first half and a last quarter dominated by Phoenix); the big issue remains the turnovers — they’re Christmas gifts for the Thunder — and the impact of Booker and Green, who I don’t find at the postseason level yet. To be continued in Game 3.

The Raptors will still be without their starting point guard for their first-round matchup against the Cavaliers.

Immanuel Quickley aggravated his already strained right hamstring while working his way back from injury and will be unavailable for the remainder of the series, the Raptors announced Friday.

Quickley, 26, has already missed the first three games of the playoffs due to the injury, which he suffered during Toronto’s regular season finale against the Nets after missing multiple games because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

After injuries plagued Quickley’s 2024-25 season with the Raptors, he established himself as Toronto’s starting point guard this season, averaging 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 44.3 percent in 70 games.

Second-year NBA guard Jamal Shead is starting in Quickley’s place against Cleveland, averaging 7.3 points and 2.3 steals in the series thus far.

“We missed Quickley big time with the way he gets us organized and his shooting helps our team out,” Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters following the Raptors’ 126-113 Game 1 loss to Cleveland, according to the Associated Press. “I like Jamal’s defense and what we need on the court.

“We wanted to have multiple ball handlers on the floor with Jamal.”

Toronto’s 126-104 victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday snapped a 12-game playoff losing streak against the club — which dates back to LeBron James’ tenure with Cleveland — and cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Two-time All-Star forward Scottie Barnes led the way for Toronto on Thursday, setting career playoff highs in both points (33) and assists (11), while shooting 11-of-17 from the field.

“We knew we needed everybody for this win and you’ve seen some big performances from everybody,” Barnes told reporters following the game. “It just goes to show how resilient, how bad we wanted it. We went out there and tried to do whatever it took.”

Rajakovic lauded Barnes’ Game 3 performance, saying that he “did everything for us tonight.”

HOUSTON — There’s a moment in every great player’s career when the noise around them gets loud enough and the world decides it knows what the ending should be before the final chapter has been written. 

For LeBron James, that moment came in early March. 

James missed three games between March 6-10, and the Lakers were 3-0 without him. In their dominant victories over the Pacers, Timberwolves and Knicks, the team appeared to play freer without him. They looked younger, faster and even better on defense. 

Fans and analysts alike pointed to James’ absence and said the Lakers would be better without him. Some even suggested he come off the bench. The audacity. The lazy analysis. James heard it all. 

“But it sells papers a lot easier … if you say their team is better off without LeBron,” he said. “They’re absolutely wrong.”

So, LeBron didn’t just go out and say it. He proved it on the court. 

Before we explain further, let’s rewind to the beginning of the NBA season. 

James missed training camp and the first month of the season with sciatica. The Lakers went 10-4 without him, powered by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 

When James returned, he was rusty and still not in game shape. Still, they went 6-1 in his first seven games back. Then injuries stalled things. Reaves went down with a calf strain and missed the next two months. The team drifted without him, 10-10 over a 20-game stretch that felt a lot longer than it actually was. 

All three were healthy after the All-Star break, but the fit wasn’t seamless. They went 4-4 over their next eight games before James missed those three consecutive in early March. 

Most superstars would push back on the narrative that the team is better off without them. 

Instead, James leaned in.

He watched. Studied. Adjusted. And then, quietly, he stepped aside.

He told Doncic and Reaves to keep playing free. To not worry about feeding him the ball on offense. He was happy playing the third fiddle if that meant the team would continue winning. That’s not a small concession for a player who has spent over two decades being the system instead of learning to play inside of one. 

But its credit to James and his evolution. His decision to be the third scoring option behind Doncic and Reaves changed everything. 

The Lakers ripped through March with a 16-2 record in an 18-game span. Not because James was dominating the ball but because he was dominating in other areas of the game. Defense. Rebounding. Pace of play. He became the connective tissue of the Lakers’ new identity instead of its centerpiece. 

But then came April 2. Doncic and Reaves went down with injuries. With just five games left in the regular season, the Lakers were on the brink. 

This is typically where the fairytale ends. Everyone wrote off the Lakers. 

But, instead, James rewrote the script. 

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He went back to being the engine that drives the Lakers. The primary scorer, ball handler and playmaker. Not out of ego but out of necessity. And now, the Lakers have a lead in their first-round playoff series against the Rockets, who were heavy favorites before the series began. 

“LeBron is making it very known to not get too comfortable,” Lakers center Deandre Ayton told reporters at practice Thursday. “This is the playoffs. Anything can happen.”

When James goes up 2-0 in a series, his teams are 24-0. That’s not a coincidence. Against all odds, he’s carried the team on his back long enough for Reaves to return soon, and Doncic might not be far behind him. 

Even at 41 years old, James is averaging 39 minutes, 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds per game in the playoffs. Those numbers would be impressive for a player in his prime, let alone someone who has already lapped the league’s timeline twice over. 

LeBron’s production in this series forces the only question that now matters for the Lakers: How can you walk away from this after the season inevitably ends?

Yes, the future of the Lakers’ franchise belongs to Doncic. Yes, Reaves will become a free agent and deserves to get paid. Yes, the cap sheet is tight, and the CBA is unforgiving. Every dollar matters. 

But so does context.

James has already shown he can adjust his role. He has already taken less to help the roster. And now he’s shown — again — that when everything breaks, he can still carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

That’s not a luxury. That’s a safety net you don’t discard and do everything in your power to keep it in Los Angeles. 

If LeBron wants to play a 24th season, then the Lakers can’t get cute. They can’t overthink it. They don’t chase financial flexibility over tangible greatness. 

Bring him back. 

For James, that likely requires a pay cut. But that’s the reality regardless of which team he signs with if he wants to compete for a championship. The market will correct that conversation quickly.

So if the dollars flatten out across the league, why leave?

His son, Bronny, is under contract with the Lakers next season. His life and family are rooted in Los Angeles. His legacy is already intertwined with the franchise’s history. And more importantly, basketball is still being played at a high level. 

The blueprint of this season can be the blueprint for next season. 

The Lakers don’t need LeBron to be who he was. 

They just need him to be exactly who he’s become. 

And over the past two months, including the playoffs, he’s reminded everyone that version might be just as valuable. 

Marcus Smart had not been in the playoffs since 2023, having languished with Memphis and Washington, two teams unlike a Lakers franchise that views the playoffs as a birthright.

Now that Smart is back in the postseason with the Lakers, he has made up for that lost time, playing with zest, smarts and energy.

Smart’s eight points in overtime was part of his overall game of 21 points, 10 assists, five steals and two blocked shots plus his usual outstanding defense that helped the Lakers pull out a 112-108 win in overtime over the Houston Rockets Friday night at Toyota Center.

Along with LeBron James collecting 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and Rui Hachimura scoring 22 points, the Lakers have a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Lakers can close out the first-round Western Conference series by winning Game 4 here Sunday night.

Smart drilled a three-pointer in the overtime for a 104-101 Lakers lead. After a missed shot, Smart crashed the boards and was fouled.

He made two free throws for a 109-105 lead and then made three of his next four free throws for what turned out to be the final points of the game.

The Lakers opened a 15-point lead in the first half, but saw the Rockets crawl back to tie the score at 87-87 with six minutes and 22 seconds left.

It was game-on now.

When Reed Sheppard drilled a three-pointer with 4:49 left, it gave the Rockets a 92-91 lead, their first since the first quarter.

The Lakers called a timeout to regroup.

But Jaxson Hayes missed twice, one of his shots getting blocked by Alperen Sengun.

Amen Thompson made one of two free throws and Sengun scored for a 95-91 Rockets lead that made the Lakers play catch-up from that point on.

After Sengun stole a pass from James and dunked for a 101-95 Rockets lead with 40.6 seconds left, the Lakers looked completely done.

But Smart stole the ball and got fouled shooting a three-pointer. He made all three of his free throws to pull the Lakers to within 101-98 with 25.4 seconds left.

The Lakers needed a stop on defense.

They got it when James tipped the ball away from Sheppard from behind. Smart got the ball. It eventually ended up back in the hands of James, who drilled a three-pointer to tie the score at 101-101 with 13.1 seconds left.

The Lakers got another impressive defensive stop when Hayes forced Sengun into a bad shot that missed. James got the rebound and called a timeout with 1.2 seconds left.

James took the last shot for the Lakers, the ball rimming out as time expired in the fourth quarter, the score tied at 101-101, sending the game into overtime.

The night began with Austin Reaves being listed as questionable for the game, then with him warming up and eventually being downgraded to out because of his left oblique muscle strain. Reaves has missed all three playoff games and the last five regular-season games, the same as teammate Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain).

The night began for the Rockets with Kevin Durant working out in an attempt to play in the game, but he too was ruled out with a left ankle sprain suffered in Game 2 in Los Angeles. Durant was already dealing with a right knee contusion that forced him to miss Game 1.

This essentially meant both teams had to play on, to find a way even if they were missing key parts.

For the Lakers, the door opened for Hachimura, who stepped through it with aplomb in the first quarter. He didn’t miss any of his field goals, shooting six for six from the field and three for three from three-point range, scoring 16 points. He played all 12 minutes in helping the Lakers open a 39-32 lead at the end of the first quarter. It was a career-high for points in a quarter for Hachimura, regular season or playoffs.

Even Bronny James showed he was ready for the moment when the Lakers called on the second-year guard. He drilled a three-pointer in the second quarter and then scored on a reverse layup off a lob pass from his father. Both plays drew cheers from the fans inside the arena.

Along with a defense that held the Rockets to 37.2% shooting in the first half, the Lakers lead 63-52 at the half.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

ATLANTA — The Knicks had finally found a solution to slowing down CJ McCollum.

But for the most important defensive play of the game, they went away from it.

Jalen Brunson started out guarding McCollum during the Knicks’ 109-108 Game 3 loss to the Hawks on Thursday night at State Farm Arena.

But, just like the first two games of the series, McCollum toyed with him.

Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado each got stints trying to slow McCollum down in the second quarter, but the results were the same.

It wasn’t until the Knicks had Josh Hart guard McCollum in the second half that anything changed. McCollum was just 2-for-5 when guarded by Hart, per the league’s official tracking stats.

Needing just one stop to all but secure their comeback, though, the Knicks went back to McBride. And it backfired.

With 16.4 seconds left, the Knicks led by one and the Hawks had a side out-of-bounds in the frontcourt. Coach Mike Brown went with a small lineup, without Karl-Anthony Towns or Mitchell Robinson on the floor.

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That meant OG Anunoby guarded Onyeka Okongwu, Mikal Bridges guarded Nickeil-Alexander-Walker and Landry Shamet guarded Jonathan Kuminga. As a result, Hart was on the inbounds passer — Jalen Johnson — and McBride was on McCollum.

McBride quickly fell a step behind McCollum, who curled as he caught the inbounds pass.

McBride eventually caught up, but it was too late — McCollum comfortably pulled up for a midrange jumper. McBride got a hand up, but his lack of size compared to Hart meant it didn’t affect McCollum, who easily buried the shot that ended up being the game-winner.

“I knew they had to go quick,” McBride said Friday. “Main thing is, he’s a really good player. I’m not happy with my contest. He made the shot. I feel like if I maybe had bumped him earlier, but trying to get a feel for how the game was being called. I don’t want to put him at the free throw line in a sense like that.

“Maybe just be more aggressive and make it tougher.”

The Knicks have made McCollum — who has never been an All-Star — look like a superstar this series. Their inability to contain him has been among the biggest problems this series.

Hart stopped the bleeding for a period of time. “Just tried to make it tough for him,” is how he described it.

But he didn’t get a chance to finish the job.

When it mattered most, McCollum again had the last laugh. And, as McBride said on Friday, the Knicks are now “playing for our lives.”

With their lives on the line, who Brown has guarding McCollum is at the top of his most critical decisions.

ATLANTA — The biggest hole on the Knicks roster has become more and more noticeable. 

It’s allowed the Hawks to stymie Jalen Brunson. 

One of coach Mike Brown’s biggest goals this season was to have Brunson play off the ball and allow others to more often facilitate the offense. The idea was to take some of that burden away from Brunson and create easier shots for him, while also keeping his supporting cast more involved. 

But in the first three games of this first-round series, which the Knicks trail 2-1 and are “playing for our lives,” as Miles McBride said, that element of the offense has largely been absent. 

“We called it a few times, you gotta give Atlanta credit,” Brown said Friday. “They did a nice job of defending it the few times we called it. But we gotta keep trying to implement it, whether it’s play call or within the flow of what we’re trying to do conceptually on the offensive end of the floor.” 

The problem is that outside of Brunson, they lack ball handlers who are capable of creating and orchestrating the offense. Josh Hart can, but it’s not his ideal role. OG Anunoby is best as a spot-up shooter. Karl-Anthony Towns is a good passer, but he’s not someone who can break down a defense by himself. Mikal Bridges, despite Brown saying before the year he’d be the top candidate for the role, has floundered as a ball handler, particularly in Game 3 when he had four turnovers and was benched for the majority of the second half. 

There are no true backup point guards in the rotation either. McBride and Landry Shamet play there at times, but neither is a natural. Jose Alvarado is, but his limited offensive ability has meant he’s on the fringe of the rotation. Tyler Kolek is completely out of the rotation. 

So it’s all falling on Brunson again. And that means less movement on offense as a whole. As the four other players on the court stand and wait for Brunson to create everything, it makes it easier for the Hawks to blitz him, send double-teams and make it difficult for him to take high-quality shots. Usually, it’s Dyson Daniels or Nickeil Alexander-Walker guarding him, with help from a second defender. 

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In Game 3, Brunson shot 3-for-11 — and 0-for-3 from 3-point range — when guarded by Daniels or Alexander-Walker, per the league’s official tracking stats. 

“They both are great defenders,” Brunson said. “You have to be smart, you have to be kind of tactical in what you do. Just being able to not really focus on what they’re doing but focus on your shot and doing the things that I need to do to make sure I’m comfortable shooting the shots I want to shoot and be in positions I want to be in. But you gotta give them credit. They make things very difficult.” 

Nobody has had the ball in his hands more than Brunson during these playoffs across the league. He’s having to work incredibly hard for his shots — almost none of which are open. 

The Knicks barely have anyone who can even bring the ball up the court, which would allow Brunson to collect it in the halfcourt and remove some wear and tear on him. Daniels and Alexander-Walker are picking him up full court, so by the time Brunson finally gets the ball into the halfcourt, he’s expended significant energy. 

It was a little better when McBride was on the floor with Brunson in place of Bridges. There were a few possessions in the third quarter — during an 11-0 Knicks run — when McBride was able to bring the ball up the floor. When Bridges tried that, it was an utter failure. 

“We all have to be aggressive, not just to shoot the ball, but be aggressive to touch the paint [on drives],” Brown said. “And if you don’t have anything in the paint, you gotta spray it. We haven’t gone anywhere near our sprays that we’ve wanted to in these first three games.” 

Brunson is also getting pummeled on the other end trying to guard CJ McCollum, who has torched him this series. So much so that the Knicks have been forced to change their coverage and have Hart guard him. 

Overreliance on offense and getting bullied on defense equals a player who is getting worn out. 

The San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers meet in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The teams split the first two games with Portland rallying from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Game 2. Victor Wembanyama left Game 2 in the second quarter with a concussion and is questionable to play in Game 3.

How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers

• Date: Friday, April 24

• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

• Where: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

• TV Channels: Amaz

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Portland Trail Blazers 2.5

• Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers +118 (43.7%) / San Antonio Spurs -145 (56.3%)

• Over/Under: 220.5

Series schedule

Game 1:Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98
Game 2:Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland on Friday, April 24 (10:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland on Sunday, April 26 (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 5: Portland at San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28 (time and network TBD)
*Game 6: San Antonio at Portland on Thursday, April 30 (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Portland at San Antonio on Saturday, May 2 (time and network TBD)

*if necessary

HOUSTON — The Lakers will have to wait at least one more game before they’re able to get one of their star guards back in the lineup.

Austin Reaves was downgraded from questionable to out for Friday’s Game 3 against the Rockets at Toyota Center.

Reaves has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain, an injury that typically comes with a four-to-six-week recovery timeline.

Coach JJ Redick said pregame, before Reaves was ruled out, that Reaves had progressed “well” and had played in stay-ready games ahead of Friday.

The fifth-year guard, along with fellow star guard Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain), suffered the regular-season-ending injury during the April 2 loss to the Thunder.

He and Doncic missed the final five games of the regular season with their respective injuries.

Reaves had been seen shooting after practices over the last week, including after Thursday’s practice at the team’s practice facility before the team left for Houston.

Doncic was also seen going through shooting drills Thursday, with no timetable for his return. 

Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points to go with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in a career-low 51 regular-season games after also missing significant time in December and January because of a calf strain. 

He has a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27 that he’s expected to decline, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason with the expectation of a significant pay raise.

The Lakers entered Friday up 2-0 in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Rockets.

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named as the NBA's Most Improved Player for the 2025-26 season.

Alexander-Walker had a career year, starting in 71 of the 78 games he played in this season. The 27-year-old guard averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game – all personal career highs. Walker also set the Hawks record for most 3-pointers in a season, draining 251 in the 2025-26 season while shooting 39.9% from 3-point range.

Alexander-Walker was traded to Atlanta on July 6, 2025 after spending two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Hawks have become the first team to have back-to-back Most Improved Award winners. Guard Dyson Daniels won the award as a member of the Hawks last season.

Alexander-Walker and the Hawks are currently playing in the postseason, leading the New York Knicks 2-1 in an Eastern Conference first-round series.

Previous Most Improved Player winners

• 2026: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
• 2025: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
• 2024: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• 2023: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
• 2022: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• 2021: Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• 2020: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
• 2019: Pascal Siakim, Toronto Raptors
• 2018: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
• 2017: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• 2016: CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
• 2015: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
• 2014: Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
• 2013: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
• 2012: Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic
• 2011: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
• 2010: Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
• 2009: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
• 2008: Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
• 2007: Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
• 2006: Boris Diaw, Phoenix Suns

2025-26 NBA Awards winners

• Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
• NBA Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston Celtics

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker voted NBA Most Improved Player

The pickings are beginning to become slim in the men's college basketball transfer portal.

With the Friday commitments of Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam to Michigan and Charleston center Chol Machot to Georgetown we saw two of USA TODAY Sports' top 10 best remaining portal players get snatched up. That leaves just seven of USA TODAY Sports' Top 40 portal prospects still on the market.

Which school has best class so far? College basketball transfer portal team rankings

Best fits: 10 college basketball transfers who are perfect for new teams

Here's a look at our top 10 uncommitted players in the college basketball transfer portal, with the latest intel on each player, many of whom will go through the NBA draft process before making a decision.

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

The Los Angeles Lakers seek to take a 3-0 lead in their NBA Western Conference best-of-seven series with the Houston Rockets, and our NBA player prop projections are working overtime.

The data expects a big-scoring night from NBA playoff legend Kevin Durant and a less-than-efficient one from Lakers guard Luke Kennard as we dish into Lakers vs. Rockets predictions for Game 3.

The model is pointing to four additional markets, backed by the model, for a complete six-pick card.

Read on for our NBA picks for Friday, April 24. 

Lakers vs Rockets computer picks for Game 3

Lakers	Rockets
Kennard u13.5 points  +100	Durant o23.5 points -120
Smart u12.5 points  -112	Smith o15.5 points -110
Hachimura o14.5 points -105	Thompson o17.5 points -112

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Lakers Game 3 computer picks

Luke Kennard Under 13.5 Points (+100)

Projection: 9.62 points

Luke Kennard is a spot-up shooter who needs everything to go right to crack double digits consistently. The Houston Rockets' defense won't give him clean looks, and with a projection of just 9.62 points, this Under has the biggest cushion on the entire board tonight. 

Our model is not feeling his points total, and we'll back the data and play the Under. 

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Marcus Smart Under 12.5 Points (-112)

Projection: 10.73 points

Marcus Smart brings energy and defense, but his scoring has never been the reason you play him. He's failed to score at least 13 points in four of his previous five road games, and our NBA player prop projections have factored this in. 

Against a Houston team that will make him work for everything, the Under is as straightforward of a play as you can ask for. 

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Rui Hachimura Over 14.5 points (-120)

Projection: 14.99 points

Rui Hachimura has been one of the Los Angeles Lakers' more dependable offensive weapons, and the model projects him to score Over his scoring prop total for the third time in six contests. 

With the Rockets' defense keying on stopping LeBron James, this is a sneaky good play that deserves a spot on your ticket.

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Rockets Game 3 computer picks

Kevin Durant Over 23.5 points (-120)

Projection: 27.56 points

Kevin Durant is a walking bucket in a prime playoff spot against a Lakers defense that's been exploitable all season. The projections are loving this prop number, as it's something he's gone Over in five of his previous six games.

Durant averages 29.3 ppg across 171 career playoff games and is a good bet to score at least 24+ tonight. 

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Jabari Smith Jr. Over 15.5 Points (-110)

Projection: 15.93 points

Jabari Smith Jr. has been finding his footing as a legitimate scoring option for Houston down the stretch. He's scored at least 16 points in seven straight games, and this Lakers defense leaks like a sieve.

The Lakers don't have much of an answer for Smith, and we'll play the Over based on the data. 

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Amen Thompson Over 17.5 Points (-112)

Projection: 18.38 points

Amen Thompson has been quietly one of Houston's most reliable offensive contributors, and the projections back it up. His ceiling is 41 points, and his floor across the past 10 games is 16 points.

Thompson averaged nearly 24 ppg in three games against Los Angeles, and we'll back the projection model tonight. 

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

How to watch Lakers vs Rockets Game 3

Location	Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date	Friday, April 24, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

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Now is a good time to revisit the NBA’s GOAT debate. But for the moment, let’s forget about who the GOAT is and focus on how it should be decided.

There are probably a lot of formulas out there, maybe some involving who starred in the best Space Jam movie. But the latest idea is a sham.

Talking about longevity. Talking about LeBron James. Talking about a potential shift.

James is a wonder at 41. Throwing down reverse windmill dunks. Leading the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers to a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets in their first-round playoff series. And who knows what’s next when James and the Lakers take on the Rockets in Game 3, which tips off at 8 p.m. ET Friday, April 24 in Houston.

It is incredible to see James playing at such a high level in his 23rd season in the NBA. But biblically speaking, would Methuselah have edge in a GOAT debate because he lived to be 969?