Category: NBA

Well, if any burner-account related insecurities are seeping into this team, they’ve yet to reveal themselves yet.

The Houston Rockets have played their first games since LB started tracking their 2026 first-round pick that is owed to the Sixers, going 2-1 in their first three games post-All Star break. That features wins over the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz with a fourth-quarter collapse to the New York Knicks sandwiched in between.

The quality of opponent is what it is, but the team has been able to follow Kevin Durant’s lead in not getting into any of that Twitter nonsense. Jabari Smith Jr. was one of the Rockets roasted the most in those supposed leaks, and he was Houston’s leading scorer against Utah with 31 points on 17 shots.

Those two wins, along with a Cleveland loss, were enough to bump the Rockets from 24th. where they were last week, to the 25th pick in the draft if the season ended today. Unfortunately for the Sixers, they have the chance to pile up some wins with their upcoming schedule as well. In the next week they’ll be taking on the Kings, Magic, Heat and Wizards.

So with the 25th pick in the draft, Tankathon has the Sixers taking forward Amari Allen out of Alabama. Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson has also been mocked to the Sixers quite a bit as well. Anyone who wants to dive into Jefferson or other prospects that could be available in the mid-to-late 20s can now do so on this very blog as well.

Pick status this week: 25

Pick status last week: 24 (+1 change)

The highest game total in the 2005 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons was Game 5 with the Spurs winning 96-95. The Silver and Black won that nail biter on a go-ahead, clutch three-point shot by none other than Robert Horry. Tim Duncan had 26 points and 19 rebounds along with 2 assists and 2 blocks.

On Monday night in the year of our Lord and franchise savior Victor Wembanyama, the upstart Spurs and Pistons were able to hit the mid ‘90s total with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The over/under was projected at 232.5, so odds makers and bettors were probably hoping for more of that sweet modern basketball rather than that grit and grind like we saw way back when the national media was so “bored” with the 2005 Finals that they started making sideline reporters grill Eva Longoria into revealing major plot twists on “Desperate Housewives.”

Regardless, the Spurs and Pistons gave us a nice preview of a heavyweight bout between two of the high ranked teams from their respective conferences. The Pistons, in particular, have never wavered from their embedded DNA of tough basketball, and the Spurs, as they tend to do, do not stray from their heritage of prioritizing defense.

Devin Vassell led all players with 28 points on a scorching 7 – 11 shooting from downtown. Victor Wembanyama poured in 21 points, pulled down 17 rebounds, and had 6 blocks.

Devin Vassell was simply seeing an ocean inside of an ocean inside of an ocean every time he let loose a shot from deep. For the season, he’s shooting 37% from long range as he continues to stack together games played. The Spurs are a deep team, but it especially works when vets like Vassell can stay on the floor and take advantage of the orbit of defenders around Wembanyama.

Do you think Wembanyama has ever had a slice of pizza from Little Caesar’s? He seems the type that would enjoy one of their Crazy Puffs (cupcake-sized pizzas). That being said, I am not sure if his body has ever been introduced to grease before so it might be a shock to his system.

Like a perfectly blended amalgam of marinara sauce, cheese, and more cheese, the Spurs seem to have finally melded together as a team that moves in sync where each player could be blindfolded but still find their teammates anywhere on the floor.

It’s easy to forget (at least for me) that the Spurs have the number 2 overall pick playing off the bench, and the kid has flashed his talent multiple times this season. Their cup runneths over with potential.

Speaking of things easy to forget (for me at least, I’m getting old), it’s also easy to forget that the Spurs also have the number 14 overall pick playing off the bench. The players mentioned after this game how cohesive the offense played. This particular play demonstrates how the team also played complete basketball on both ends with Carter Bryant blocking a shot attempt, running up the floor to space out the Pistons’ defense so that he can easily find a streaking Keldon Johnson for the bucket.

I wanted to highlight this specific play where Stephon Castle found a hole in the defense and casually walked his way to an open dunk because otherwise Castle seems to have an understated Dwyane Wade style to his game. That is, once or twice a game, you’ll see him sacrifice his body and take a hard tumble to the floor. He’s explosive and uber athletic in his own right, but where you saw peak Wade flying down the floor doing acrobatic feats, Castle’s style of play seems more measured until suddenly it isn’t. It’s a slight contradiction that I thoroughly enjoy watching.

Wembanyama’s block was impressive, but I was just as impressed by his patience waiting for the shooter to see if he was going to pump fake or drive.

I think Wembanyama just invented the block off the glass to himself for a rebound move. Consequently, Castle’s jumper also looks pretty smooth. I’m just tingling watching this team.

Don’t adjust your 55 inch, $300 television (can you believe how cheap TVs are now??), this play below is not a duplicate of the previous play embedded above. Sure, Wembanyama blocked another shot off the glass, and Castle and Vassell have the same hair style and smooth-as-molasses jumper, but this one went to Vassell.

Former President Barack Obama recently said there’s no aliens in Area 51. Mayhaps the former POTUS should look in San Antonio where we have our own Area 51 aliens. And let’s be honest with ourselves, if extra terrestrials are going to visit us, most likely they want a taste of our greatest resource: tacos.

I also have to mention that Robinson had 13 points and 3 rebounds in only 26 minutes. No, not that Robinson. But Duncan did play 26 minutes and racked up 5 assists. No, not that Duncan either. Every team needs shooting, and I need the Spurs to one day sign Duncan Robinson and have him wear a stitched jersey of both the last names of Tim Duncan and David Robinson—he can be the only player in the league with his first and last name on his jersey so we all can briefly relive the glory days.

Sending everyone out with the fond message that the gnomes are out of bounds:

If you missed the game because you were too busy binging seasons 1 and 2 of Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives (the only two you need to binge), here are the full-game highlights:

Next up, the Spurs head up north to take on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, February 24, 2026.

The Knicks are a good team. They may not always look or play like it. But they are. At 37-21, they have a top-five record in the league, have a top-three offense, a defense that has been on the cusp of being top 10 in defensive rating, and remain top five in net rating as well. Despite all of these things being true, though, it’s not a stretch to say that this team, one that has had championship aspirations from day one, has also been among the most disappointing ones in recent memory.

They can’t beat the Pistons, the one team that has consistently been ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings. Their bench has been an inconsistent question mark for much of the season. Mikal Bridges continues to have stretches where he seemingly disappears. And the starting lineup, despite posting better stats this year, still struggles against great defenses. Among the most alarming concerns this season, though, has been the disappointing season that Karl-Anthony Towns has had… Or that’s at least what the majority of the fanbase wants to think. But is that a fair assessment?

Now, some of the frustrations are warranted. Over his first 10 years in the league, Towns earned a reputation for being one of the most efficient scorers in the league. During that span, the big man averaged 23.1PPG on 52.4% shooting from the field, and 40% shooting from three. His rare combination of size, post-up skills, and shooting allowed him to be as good as he is despite his very obvious and frustrating shortcomings on the defensive end.

This year he has looked and performed like a shell of himself. We may never know if there was an underlying injury issue or if it was just the new offense Mike Brown installed last summer. But the version of Towns we have seen for the overwhelming majority of this season has been one of hesitation, disappearance, and uncharacteristic struggles.

Through his first 49 games, Towns averaged 19.7PPG, while shooting 46.3% from the field, and 35.3% from three, while attempting just 14 field goal attempts per game. All of those marks would be the lowest, or second lowests of his career.

Some of it has been him simply missing shots he usually makes. But it’s been deeper than just him missing shots. As evident by his field goal attempts, he’s been featured less as a scorer in the Knicks’ new offense. Instead of having his number called, he is now required to read defenses more and find the best times for him to attack, something he and his teammates have both struggled to do.

Towns has seemed to have turned things around a bit tough. Towns has scored 20 or more points in five straight games, which is the longest streak of the season. And during the stretch, he is averaging 23.4PPG, while shooting 56.6% from the field, and 47.8% from three. He’s been more aggressive, evident by his 15.2 field goal attempts per game, and overall, he’s looked more comfortable, and just as importantly, more decisive.

But it’s clear that this isn’t, and never was, a strictly Towns problem. As mentioned earlier, his teammates have struggled to find Towns, especially when he pops screens. Lately, though, there’s been more of an effort by his teammates, and more specifically, by Jalen Brunson, to get him involved. While the two still lack the two-man game fans dreamed of when they were first paired up, Brunson has looked for his center noticeably more as of late.

Going back to the earlier question, I’d confidently answer that the blame Towns has gotten has been disproportionate and unfair. Towns still deserves some criticism for the way he has shot the ball, the amount he complains (although some of that is warranted given his horrendous whistle), his somewhat improved, but still frustrating defensive miscues, and most importantly, his offensive fouls that make you want to pull your hair out. But the numbers point to him being one of the Knicks, and believe it or not, the league’s most impactful players.

I am firmly on the side of analytics and stats not being absolute. And that they can be deceiving, and or misused. But, hear me out. As seen above, Towns currently has more rebounds than Nikola Jokić or Victor Wembanyama, more points than Stephen Curry or LaMelo Ball, more made 3-pointers than Devin Booker, more steals than Evan Mobley or Rudy Gobert, more double-doubles than Luka Dončić or Cade Cunningham, more assists than Amen Thompson or Isaiah Hartenstein, and h higher plus/minus than Jaylen Brown and Anthony Edwards. Those names and stats, especially since they are totals and not averages, can be cherry-picked to fit a narrative.

But, according to EPM (estimated plus-minus), which is a newer adjusted plus-minus metric that quantifies expected impact, Towns has been great. As of February 23rd, Towns is just one of four players in the league that rank in the 90th percentile or higher in both offensive EPM and defensive EPM.

Are those numbers still not enough? Towns, despite his flaws, remains the team leader in plus-minus this season, with an impressive +336. Brunson is second at just +266. And as mentioned above, the Knicks are now 10.7PPP better with Towns on the court, which happens to rank first in the league among players who have played 1600 or more minutes.

I am not here to tell you that Towns is the Knicks’ best or most impactful player. You can take the data and the eye test and decide for yourself. I’m also not here to tell you that he’s a perfect player. Or that he’s had an amazing season. But I will tell you that despite all of his flaws and despite his not being able to play up to his usual standards, Towns has still had a solid season. He deserved a fair share of the blame for his shortcomings and his offensive inconsistencies. But he doesn’t deserve to have everything blamed on him. He can’t control how much Josh Hart mucks up offenses against good defenses, how bad the bench has been at times, how much Brunson struggled to get him the ball at times, especially in crunch time, or how Bridges occasionally goes MIA. This team, as we’ve all seen, has some clear weaknesses, despite being a very good team. And Towns can’t, and shouldn’t be held accountable for all of them.

I will say this: If the Knicks want to ultimately raise the Larry O’Brien trophy, it’s still on Towns. While he’s been solid and better than many realize, he still has the most to show and improve on as far as performance vs. expectations go. If he and his teammates can get the best version of Towns to show up in the playoffs, this team could take another much-needed leap.

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The Miami Heat will be searching for their fourth straight win tonight as they visit the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.

Miami is hot, and my Heat vs. Bucks predictions expect the away team to keep rolling. 

Read more in my NBA picks for this 8 p.m. ET tipoff on Tuesday, February 24.

Heat vs Bucks prediction

Heat vs Bucks best bet: Heat -6.5 (-110)

The Miami Heat remain in the playoff mix with a 31-27 record, and they’ve captured three straight victories heading into tonight’s clash. 

Erik Spoelstra’s squad has beaten the Pelicans, Hawks, and Grizzlies, covering the spread in each game. In fact, they just blew out the Grizz by 16 points on Saturday, which means the Heat are well-rested. 

Miami beat the Milwaukee Bucks by three points earlier this season, and Milwaukee just got blown out by 28 by the Raptors on Sunday. The Heat also have an impressive 19-11 ATS road record.

Heat vs Bucks same-game parlay

Andrew Wiggins is averaging 16.1 points per game this season, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three. The Canadian balled out for 28 on Saturday in the big victory over Memphis. 

Bam Adebayo is averaging 2.9 dimes per game, but he’s comfortably cashed the Over in five straight. 

The Heat star has 10 assists across his last two appearances, and the Bucks are allowing 3.9 per contest to centers.

Heat vs Bucks SGP

• Heat -6.5
• Andrew Wiggins Over 14.5 points
• Bam Adebayo Over 2.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Tyler's Herro-ics

Tyler Herro has cashed the Over in triples in three of his last four games, and in his last road appearance, the guard was 2-for-4 from 3-point land.

Heat vs Bucks SGP

• Heat -6.5
• Andrew Wiggins Over 14.5 points
• Bam Adebayo Over 2.5 assists
• Tyler Herro Over 1.5 made threes

Heat vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Heat -6.5 (-110) | Bucks +6.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Heat -245 | Bucks +200
• Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)

Heat vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Miami Heat have covered the 1Q Spread in 30 of their last 40 away games (+19.80 Units / 43% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Bucks.

How to watch Heat vs Bucks

Heat vs Bucks latest injuries

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The Dallas Mavericks visit the Brooklyn Nets this evening, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Dallas has been dominant against Brooklyn this season, and I’m targeting them to keep it up in my Mavericks vs. Nets predictions. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24. 

Mavericks vs Nets prediction

Mavericks vs Nets best bet: Mavericks moneyline (-130)

The Dallas Mavericks may be having a disappointing campaign, but they just ended a nine-game losing streak on Sunday with a road victory. They finish up their six-game road swing tonight against the Brooklyn Nets, who they’ve beaten a lot over the last few seasons. 

Dallas has won both meetings with the Nets in 2025-26, and while the Mavericks are 6-19 on the road, Brooklyn is just 8-19 at home and has lost four straight. 

The Mavericks demonstrably outrank the Nets in offensive and defensive efficiency, as Brooklyn is among the worst in the NBA in both metrics.

Mavericks vs Nets same-game parlay

P.J. Washington has been one of the Mavs’ top guys alongside Cooper Flagg. He’s averaging 14.3 points per game, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three. Flagg is sidelined with a foot injury, which means a bigger workload for Washington. 

Max Christie's landing in Dallas has allowed him to thrive in a bigger role. He’s averaging a career-best 13.3 points, and the former Michigan State Spartan has hit the Over in four of his previous five outings. 

The youngster scored 16 points in the win over Indiana on Sunday, and he’s cashed the Over in points in three consecutive road appearances.

Mavericks vs Nets SGP

• Mavericks moneyline
• PJ Washington Over 15.5 points
• Max Christie Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Hands of Klay

Klay Thompson has cashed the Over in boards in two of his last three.

Mavericks vs Nets SGP

• Mavericks moneyline
• PJ Washington Over 15.5 points
• Max Christie Over 14.5 points
• Klay Thompson Over 2.5 rebounds

Mavericks vs Nets odds

• Spread: Mavericks -2 (-110) | Nets +2 (-110)
• Moneyline: Mavericks -130 | Nets +110
• Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Nets betting trend to know

The Dallas Mavericks have hit the Team Total Over in 23 of their last 35 games (+9.05 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Nets.

How to watch Mavericks vs Nets

Mavericks vs Nets latest injuries

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

Selection Sunday is fewer than three full weeks away, with a glorious 68-team bracket inching closer with each passing day.

Nearly half of that NCAA Tournament field will be composed of teams from outside of men’s college basketball’s five major conferences: the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Big East and SEC.

As the 2025-26 regular season winds down, several of those squads look capable of making some noise, whether it’s springing an upset over a national title hopeful or advancing deep into the tournament.

REQUIRED READING: Who is rising, falling in latest March Madness bracket prediction?

Who might some of those potential bracket-busters and second-week (and even Final Four) contenders be?

Here’s the latest power rankings of teams from outside of college basketball’s five major conferences:

The Toronto Raptors hit the ground running coming off the All-Star break, with road wins against Chicago and Milwaukee. Now, they return to Toronto to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are a league-best 44-14.

The Raptors won 103-101 in January when they last took on the defending champs. This time around they’ll face a depleted version as they look to sweep the season series against the league’s best team. Here are a few storylines for tonight’s game, which is the first leg of a back-to-back.

Who is playing?

Remember when people were predicting whether OKC could reach 70 wins, or even reach the 2015-16 Warriors’ 73-win mark? They’re still damn good, but with 14 losses, those conversations are officially over – and the Thunder’s injury bug won’t help their chances of securing the top seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder are missing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, which is a shame for Raptors fans who were hoping to see Canada’s top player in action. They’re also down All-Star forward Jalen Williams – and with Chet Holmgren questionable with back spasms, the Raptors may see a version of the Thunder that includes none of its three best players.

But the Thunder are easily one of the league’s deepest teams. Cason Wallace is a gritty defender capable of big offensive performances. Isaiah Joe is a lethal shooter. Jared McCain, the second-year guard the Thunder acquired before the trade deadline from the Philadelphia 76ers, has provided a nice infusion of scoring off the bench during this shorthanded stretch. Nikola Topic, who recently made his debut following a battle with testicular cancer, is getting minutes! With SGA and Williams out, the Thunder have resorted to a quicker pace that matches how the Raptors like to play.

The Raptors will be without Jakob Poeltl, who’s getting a rest night to manage his back injury ahead of a game vs. the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. That will force someone to play bigger than their size against center Isaiah Hartenstein – but it’ll also allow the Raptors to play fast. Scottie Barnes, who missed last game for personal reasons, is back in the lineup, along with the presumed starters of Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles. Ja’Kobe Walter started last game in place of Barnes, and has played his way into a steady rotation spot in the wake of Ochai Agbaji being traded.

IQ!

With Scottie Barnes out, Immanuel Quickley was the driving force of the Raptors’ 122-94 win against the Bucks on Sunday. (An especially important blowout win to help take our minds off the gold medal game…) After a slow start to the season, Quickley has really picked things up in the last couple months, and particularly in February; he’s averaging 20 points per game on 44% three-point shooting this month. That hot shooting carried into Sunday’s game, when he went 5/11 from beyond the arc en route to 32 points and nine assists.

Another thing on display Sunday was some lovely two-man action with Quickley and Poeltl, who set a number of screens that Quickley played off of brilliantly, in some cases dumping the ball to Poeltl and then relocating for the catch. The chemistry looked nice – but with Poeltl out tonight, and likely to miss a number of games to manage his injury, Quickley will need to find other ways to cut into the teeth of the defense. If he can keep shooting like this, that spacing alone will be a huge boon for the offense. Plus, one of the team’s best-performing two-man pairings is Quickley with Jamal Shead. The two guards have a +8.0 net rating per 100 possessions in 355 minutes together, according to NBA.com.

Thumbs up?

Collin Murray-Boyles’ rookie season has been one of many positives for the 2025-26 Raptors. With Poeltl in and out of the lineup, CMB has played his way into being an occasional starter. His defense looks way ahead of schedule, and he’s shown very nice playmaking flashes. Where he has room for improvement is his assertiveness under the basket. Sometimes he’ll hold onto the ball or kick out when the best play would be to attack the rim.

But Murray-Boyles has been nursing a left thumb injury which has kept him out of games, and in all likelihood is a major factor in that hesitance. We saw him wince and grab that thumb after a strong dunk attempt, on which he drew a foul, against the Chicago Bulls last week. The last thing Raptors fans want is for the rookie to seriously re-aggravate his thumb. That would certainly not be good news for head coach Darko Rajakovic, who is already not working with much size on the roster. But CMB could unlock something if he goes up a level around the rim, and would be more dangerous when he’s grabbing his 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the Sixers own a first-round pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft. It’ll probably land somewhere in the 20s, but even there, it opens up plenty of options. That flexibility is likely part of why Daryl Morey made the Jared McCain move in the first place. A first-rounder gives you ammunition. You can use it yourself, or package it in a deal for a proven player. And if you’re already in the first round, it’s a lot easier to move up the board.

What the Sixers ultimately do with the pick is still up in the air. They could stay put. They could jump into the teens. Maybe they get aggressive and push toward the lottery. Or maybe they flip it entirely. However it plays out, this is a real asset.

The 2026 draft class is deep, and we’ll get a long look at many of its top names as March Madness approaches. Who should you keep an eye on during the NCAA Tournament? And which prospects are worth tracking even if they don’t make the tournament? Let’s dig into a few names who could make sense in Philly and help fuel the team’s youth movement for years to come.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

Lendeborg’s path through the NCAA has been anything but typical.

He began at Arizona Western in 2020–21, spending three seasons at the NJCAA level and steadily building his game. From there, he transferred to UAB, where he put together two strong Division I campaigns. In 37 games, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.8 blocks per night. That kind of across-the-board production put him firmly on the NBA radar.

In fact, Lendeborg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft before ultimately withdrawing his name and returning to school.

Now he’s taken another leap, landing on a much bigger stage with the Michigan Wolverines, who sit near the top of the Big Ten. It’s the latest step in a winding journey that’s turned him from a junior college standout into a legitimate high-major prospect.

Much like Michigan, Lendeborg has put together another strong season. The former New Jersey resident is averaging 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals across 26 games. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field, 30.6 percent from three and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Even as one of the older prospects in this class, he’s absolutely worth monitoring for the Sixers. Lendeborg brings a legitimate NBA frame at nearly 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and a standing reach north of nine feet. The analytics love him. He posts strong assist-to-turnover numbers, impressive offensive and defensive BPM marks, a healthy assist percentage and excellent defensive win shares. Add it up, and you get one of the more unique skill sets in this draft.

He’s a productive, versatile frontcourt prospect with a high basketball IQ. He processes the game quickly and makes smart decisions. For a big, he reads the floor well and can operate as an offensive hub, creating for others from the high post or short roll. That archetype would fit beautifully next to Tyrese Maxey in particular. The Sixers have also gravitated toward high-motor players in recent years, and Lendeborg checks that box in a big way.

The concerns mostly center on age and athletic ceiling. While he racks up stocks, he doesn’t have elite burst or vertical pop, which limits his upside as a rim protector and switch defender at the next level. At his age, teams may view him as closer to a finished product. What you see now might be close to what you’re getting in the NBA. In the right system, though, one that doesn’t ask him to create in isolation or anchor the defense as a primary shot blocker, he could help a team immediately.

Most boards project Lendeborg in the late lottery. Still, we’ve seen older prospects slide, especially when rebuilding teams prioritize youth and upside. The Sixers would likely need to trade up to secure him, but I’d imagine many evaluators see him as an excellent fit next to Joel Embiid and a roster built to compete right away.

Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

Let’s head to the Big 12 and take a look at Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson.

Jefferson began his college career at Saint Mary’s (CA), spending two seasons there before transferring to Iowa State for the 2024–25 campaign. Now a senior, he’s putting together the best year of his career. Through 26 games (31.5 minutes per night), he’s averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks.

His rise has been steady and impressive. Jefferson has carved out a reputation as a true Swiss Army knife — a legitimate two-way forward with great feel for the game, all packed into a sturdy 6-foot-9 frame. He plays with a high basketball IQ and thrives as a connective piece. Offensively, he processes the floor quickly and consistently makes the right read. For his size, his court awareness and vision stand out. “Point forward” gets tossed around loosely in NBA circles, but Jefferson actually fits the label.

Defensively, he projects as an even-to-plus contributor at the next level. He has real size and strength, along with one of the more polished games in this class. His build is strong and sturdy, which allows him to absorb contact and hold his ground against bigger forwards and post players. He doesn’t have elite burst, and quicker wings could give him trouble in space, but he should be able to defend most forwards and some small-ball bigs without issue.

While he has playmaking pops, Jefferson can also go get a bucket. He’s improved as a scorer every season, and this year marks a career high. He handles the ball well for his size and finishes effectively around the rim with touch and control. Even without elite explosiveness, he’s a reliable finisher when he gets downhill.

The biggest swing skill is his shooting. Jefferson shot 31 percent or worse from three in each of his first three college seasons. This year, he’s taken a real step forward, attempting nearly three threes per game and knocking them down at a 38.2 percent clip. The volume and efficiency jump are encouraging, but scouts will want to know if it’s sustainable. His career free-throw percentage sits at 72.2 percent, which isn’t a red flag, but it’s not a glowing indicator of long-term shooting upside either. At nearly 23 years old, teams may view him as closer to his ceiling than some of the younger prospects in the class.

From a Sixers perspective, the fit is clean. Maxey has statistically been more efficient off the ball than as a primary initiator, which is part of the reason the team has brought in additional ball handlers in recent seasons. Jefferson’s ability to facilitate, keep the offense flowing, and defend multiple positions would complement that approach well.

Iowa State is near the top of the Big 12 standings, and there’s a chance Jefferson and the Cyclones will have a spotlight in March Madness. Most projections peg him in the 20s, which puts him squarely in range if the Sixers stay put. If they do, they could do a lot worse than a polished, versatile forward who knows how to impact winning.

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s

St. John’s basketball has put together a stellar season and currently sits atop the Big East, ahead of powerhouse programs like UConn, Villanova and Creighton. Their late-season surge comes down to several factors, but senior forward Zuby Ejiofor has been central to it. He’ll almost certainly declare for the draft after this season.

Ejiofor began his college career at Kansas before transferring to St. John’s for the 2023–24 campaign. It wasn’t until last year that he locked down major minutes and a starting role. This season, he’s taken another leap, averaging 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in 30 minutes per game through 26 contests.

A former four-star recruit, Ejiofor took time to put everything together. Now that he has, some mock drafts project him in the late first to early second-round range. He’s a bit of a positional tweener on paper. Some sites list him as a forward or even a small forward, but most evaluators view him as a switchable big.

That defensive versatility is the best place to start. Ejiofor is one of the more flexible defenders in this class. He offers legitimate rim protection while still holding his own on switches. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he rebounds well and plays with serious strength. He doesn’t give ground on post-ups and uses his length to compensate for any height disadvantage. His motor stands out immediately. He rarely ball-watches and consistently impacts plays across the defensive end.

He’s also comfortable on the perimeter. Ejiofor moves his feet well, flips his hips smoothly, and shows the recovery tools you want in a modern frontcourt defender. For his size, he changes direction quickly and competes on every possession.

The swing skill, outside of age, is his shooting. He’s not a non-shooter, but his catch-and-shoot and spot-up numbers leave room for improvement. He’ll need to develop into a more reliable floor spacer to maximize his NBA value. That said, he’s far from a lost cause offensively.

In fact, he’s quietly expanded his offensive game in meaningful ways. Remarkably, Ejiofor leads St. John’s in assists despite playing as a forward or big. His passing growth over the past year has been significant. St. John’s runs plenty of dribble handoffs and he’s comfortable facilitating from those actions. He sets solid screens, creates separation for shooters and drivers, and has shown the ability to read the floor out of the post, finding cutters or kicking out to open teammates.

Ejiofor may be a late bloomer, but he checks many of the boxes the Sixers have prioritized in recent drafts: motor, defensive versatility and functional strength. He’s most commonly projected in the late first or early second round. If the Sixers want a switchable forward who can contribute defensively from day one, Ejiofor makes a lot of sense.

Dailyn Swain, Texas

Dailyn Swain entered college as a four-star prospect in the 2023 class, drawing major offers before deciding to stay home in Columbus and commit to Xavier. He spent two seasons there before transferring to Texas, where he’s stepped into a featured role. The move has paid off. Through 26 games, he’s averaging 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.

On film, Swain’s game pops. The numbers back it up. At 6-foot-7, he has legitimate wing size and the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways. His calling card is paint scoring. Throughout his college career, he’s finished above 70 percent on attempts within 4.5 feet of the rim. He gets there consistently and converts at a high rate.

That rim pressure stems from his physical tools. Swain has a long, wiry frame and covers ground with effortless, extended strides. Pair that with a quick first step, and you get a downhill attacker who beats defenders before they can react. He shows impressive body control, extends around shot blockers, and finishes through contact or at awkward angles. Layups, floaters, dunks — he has touch and creativity. In transition, he’s especially dangerous.

As a playmaker, Swain has typically thrived in a connective, complementary role. He reads help defenders well and can hit the open man off the drive. He’s shown a good feel for finding baseline cutters and keeping the ball moving. He hasn’t traditionally operated as a heavy pick-and-roll initiator, but he’s grown more comfortable in that role this season. The playmaking still needs polish, but there are real flashes that suggest more upside than the raw assist numbers indicate.

Defensively, he projects as an NBA-level contributor from day one. His footwork is sharp, and those long strides help him recover when beaten. He plays passing lanes aggressively without gambling himself out of position, and his steal rate ranks among the best in college basketball. On the ball, he stays disciplined and avoids bailing out scorers with unnecessary fouls. Off the ball, he’s taken clear steps forward, especially as a weakside helper, which is likely where he’d begin his NBA career.

As with many wings, the swing skill is shooting. At Xavier, Swain hit just 20.4 percent from three. At Texas, he’s increased his volume and improved to 33.3 percent. Evaluators often describe his mechanics as inconsistent but workable. His base can get erratic, especially on movement shots, which affects his balance. Still, there are encouraging indicators. He’s shooting just under 80 percent from the free-throw line, which suggests there may be more room for growth than his early three-point numbers show. He doesn’t offer much of a midrange game right now. Most of his offense comes either at the rim or from beyond the arc.

Swain is generally projected in the latter half of the first round, which would put him squarely in range for the Sixers if they stand pat. He may not be as seamless a fit as some of the other names discussed, but adding another long, athletic wing who pressures the rim and defends at a high level is never a bad bet. Especially if the Sixers believe in his shooting growth.

Thomas Haugh, Florida

I can already hear the comments about how none of these guys can shoot, so here’s my “here, damn” guy that can. Plus, he’s a PA kid (New Oxford, to be exact).

At 6-foot-9 with a likely wingspan north of seven feet (not officially measured yet), Haugh has a legit forward frame to pair with real shooting ability. This year at Florida, he’s stepped into a featured role, starting every game and averaging 17.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1 steal and 0.9 blocks through 26 contests. He’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three on nearly 5.5 attempts per game. The volume from deep is up in a big way and he’s converting at a strong clip. The release is clean and quick for his size. I’m not sure he’ll ever be an elite shooter, but as a forward — maybe even a small-ball big — he’ll do just fine spacing the floor.

That said, I’d be doing Haugh a disservice if I only talked about the jumper.

Like many of the names on this list, he plays with a serious motor. Haugh embraces physicality. He’s a maniac on the offensive glass, averaging 2.3 offensive rebounds per game, which is an excellent mark for a wing or power forward. He weaves through bodies, times his jumps well, and crashes hard. He also has a bit of a forgotten skill: if he doesn’t grab it cleanly, he’ll tip it out or bat it around multiple times until he secures it. That persistence shows up constantly.

He’s not the most explosive finisher, but he makes up for it with fearlessness. He attacks the rim and gets to the free-throw line at a high rate. Zion Williamson was once labeled elite at drawing fouls as a prospect, and Haugh’s foul rate this season stacks up extremely well in comparison. He makes teams pay, too, shooting nearly 74 percent from the line this year after hitting 79 percent last season.

For a forward, he’s also a good passer. He makes quick, decisive reads and rarely overthinks the play. When you combine the shooting, interior toughness, rebounding, and decision-making, you get a pretty expansive offensive arsenal for someone with his size and frame.

Out of everyone on this list, Haugh might have the widest draft range. Some boards have him in the lottery. Others have him falling into the teens and even early 20s. Florida looks poised for another deep run, and how far they go could matter. A big March might lock him into the lottery. An early exit could push him down.

As a trade-up candidate, Haugh would make a lot of sense for the Sixers. His fearless rebounding and relentless energy around the rim would be a welcome addition. And unlike some other names here, he projects as a shooter you can’t just leave wide open. Where he ultimately lands remains to be seen, but if the Sixers want a forward who can help right away and still has room to grow, he’s a strong option as a trade-up guy.

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It’s an absolutely jam-packed day of hoops action with 11 games on the schedule, which means a seemingly endless supply of NBA player props.

I’ve sorted through the odds and found my three favorites for the day, including Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane casting a spell on the Los Angeles Lakers defense.

That and more NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Kon Knueppel	Over 17.5 Points	-120
Myles Turner	Over 5.5 Rebounds	+100
Desmond Bane	Over 20.5 Points	-112

Prop #1: Kon Knueppel Over 17.5 Points

-120 at bet365

Rookie Kon Knueppel sure is creating a buzz around the Charlotte Hornets.

The former Duke standout is averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.5% from three. He’s also on fire, going for 23 PPG while shooting 50% from downtown over his last seven.

Tonight, he gets a great matchup against a rebuilding Chicago Bulls team that is winless in February and ranks next to last in defensive rating. 

Yet, we’re still getting a modest 17.5 point total for Knueppel, a number he’s topped in six of his last seven.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Charlotte, WSOC

Prop #2: Myles Turner Over 5.5 Rebounds

+100 at bet365

As long as the Miami Heat are playing basketball games, I will be fading them on the boards.

The Heat aren’t the worst rebounding team, but Miami leads the NBA in pace and, as a result, takes the most shots per game. 

Lots of shots mean lots of rebounds, and it’s the Milwaukee Bucks' turn to crash the boards. My favorite candidate to cash their rebounding Over is Myles Turner.

The Bucks' big man averages 5.7 rebounds per game, and he’s hauled down six or more in four of his last five. 

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin

Prop #3: Desmond Bane Over 20.5 Points

-112 at bet365

The Orlando Magic are playing better basketball, thanks in part to Desmond Bane shooting the lights out.

The Magic guard has scored 31 or more points in three of his last four games, and is averaging 25 while shooting a crazy good 54% from three over his last 10.

I’m betting he stays hot against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s hard to have faith in the Lakers, given their 24th-ranked defensive rating and ranking 27th in opponent effective field goal percentage.

Keeping Bane Under 20.5 points will be tough, as he’s topped it in nine of his last 11.

• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, SPECSN

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

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The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers meet for the first time this season in tonight’s nightcap at Crypto.com Arena.

Desmond Bane has been on a heater, and my Magic vs. Lakers predictions expect him to stay hot against a vulnerable perimeter defense.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Tuesday, February 24.

Magic vs Lakers prediction

Magic vs Lakers best bet: Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points (-112)

Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane’s scoring prowess will be front and center tonight against a Los Angeles Lakers defense that has allowed the 10th-highest 3-point percentage (36.5%) and 13th-most points (116.1). 

Franz Wagner is out again, and Bane has averaged 21.8 points across 28 games with him sidelined.

Bane is enjoying his best scoring streak of the season, with 30+ points in three of his last four. He’s averaged 23.9 points across his last 14 appearances, knocking down 3.2 triples at a 51.7% clip and scoring 21+ 10 times.

Magic vs Lakers same-game parlay

The Magic are 2-0-1 ATS across their last three road games. After a heartbreaking double-OT loss to the Suns on Friday, Orlando delivered a two-point victory over the Clippers. The Lakers should get the win tonight, but they're just 3-4 ATS across their last seven at home, so I'll take the Magic and the points.

The Lakers posted a dud on offense against the visiting Celtics on Sunday, but I expect a bounce-back performance from L.A.'s Big 3. Orlando is capable of putting up points with Paolo Banchero and Bane. Los Angeles is 18-9 to the Over at home.

Magic vs Lakers SGP

• Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points
• Magic +5
• Over 230

Our "from downtown" SGP: Ayton eats

Deandre Ayton has scored 10+ points in 34 of 48 games this season, including all eight games with Jaxson Hayes sidelined. With Hayes expected to sit, Ayton should have no problem clearing this line with even money.

Magic vs Lakers SGP

• Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points
• Magic +5
• Over 230
• Deandre Ayton Over 9.5 points

Magic vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Magic +5 (-105) | Lakers -5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Magic +170 | Lakers -205
• Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)

Magic vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the 2Q Game Total Over in 25 of their last 35 games at home (+13.60 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Lakers.

How to watch Magic vs Lakers

Magic vs Lakers latest injuries

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Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton arrived to town from the Washington Wizards, in the deal that sent Anthony Davis (and others) back east. At face value, the motive was to move off Davis’ future money and reset the books. The team accomplished that as the contracts of three of the four players, including Middleton, expire this summer. Many assumed that the 34 year-old would immediately negotiate a buyout with the Mavericks front office, opening up the opportunity to join a contender for a playoff run.

That didn’t happen, and Middleton has played in four games with the Mavericks since the trade. But it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the team has left it up to Middleton whether he would like a release. The catch is he’ll need to be waived by March 1, Sunday, to be eligible for the playoffs. In his piece for The Stein Line he also notes, “the 34 year-old scored 25 points in the Mavericks’ win Sunday at Indiana and — as has been conveyed to Middleton — Dallas will certainly still have a need for shooting next season”.

The former second round pick (selected 39th in 2012) has an accomplished career, nearly all of it spent with the Milwaukee Bucks. There he was a three-time all star and 2021 NBA Champion. In his prime he was a two-way, do-it-all forward who balanced Giannis Antetokounmpo in impactful ways. And up through his championship season, was mostly available and playing all season long.

Injuries have marred the back part of his career however, and after 11.5 seasons with the Bucks he was moved to Washington at the 2025 trade deadline in a deal that sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee. The 6’7 forward played just 48 games in Washington, all as a starter, but is certainly limited in his contribution compared to the height of his career.

That doesn’t mean he has nothing to offer. As evidenced by Sunday’s game referenced by Stein, Middleton can still be a shooter off the bench, one who plays within himself and can be a key contributor as spot starter. In his four games in Dallas, Middleton is averaging 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, three assists, while shooting 40-percent from three in 25.5 minutes per game.

While it’s unknown how many seasons Middleton has left, it appears he still has a little juice in the tank for a limited role. As he becomes a free agent this summer he’ll need to weigh whether he’d like to play a reserved role on a contender with assumed less opportunity on the floor, or get more space to show his future ability in Dallas where he’ll likely receive more minutes but with zero stakes in the games. If Dallas is truly offering a future for him next season it is worth monitoring. He has a history with head coach Jason Kidd from early Milwaukee days. And the Mavericks will be trying to turn things around next season with Cooper Flagg being joined by Kyrie Irving, a top ten pick, and the return of Dereck Lively II. Expect a decision on this soon as the eligibility cutoff looms this weekend.